UConn athletic director David Benedict issued a statement on Wednesday, denying a report that discussions between his school and the Big East had taken place.

"We've heard rumors over the last year," said Aresco, who attended the UConn-Memphis men's basketball game on Thursday. "We don't know where that stuff comes from. I've been in touch with [UConn president] Susan Herbst and David Benedict throughout and they've been very loyal to the American. This makes perfect sense for them, because we're a big-time football conference and they need a home for football in addition to basketball, and we're not far away in basketball. We're going to be a good league. Yes, some of the rivalries still have to develop — but they will.

"I'm glad David came out with a statement. I think that was helpful. It doesn't help UConn or the conference when rumors like that start."

The Huskies are hosting the AAC men's tournament next month at the XL Center. On Thursday, the conference announced an agreement with Frontier Communications to be the title sponsor for both the men's and women's tournaments.

"Some of [the success of the tournament] is going to depend on how far UConn goes," Aresco said. "Two years ago [at XL] UConn played four games. Now, they're looking at a possible bye and we don't know who they'll play. That's always a factor. But with the competitiveness of the teams this year, I'm hoping we'll get some decent crowds for all the games."

Only the American's top two teams, Cincinnati and SMU, are virtual locks for the NCAA Tournament. If someone other than those two wins the conference tournament, it could give the league three teams in the field of 68. Aresco was holding out hope for Houston as an at-large. Several American teams, including UConn, which won seven of 10 to get back to .500 before the game vs. Memphis, could be NIT candidates.

And, as with most college teams, they will from time to time make you wonder about their basketball IQ.

But there is no longer a reason to question...

We may never know how good these Huskies are, and we certainly will not know how good they might have been if injuries had not altered the season.

And, as with most college teams, they will from time to time make you wonder about their basketball IQ.

But there is no longer a reason to question...

(DOM AMORE)

"We've got a lot of good teams who are not great yet," Aresco said. "I think the league overall is a year away from having a significant number of tournament-type teams."

A Fan of the Panda

When Rodney Purvis attended the UConn women's basketball game this week, he got a chance to see something he can't see at his own games — "Red Panda" perform at halftime. She's the one who rides a unicycle and juggles, catches and balances plates and bowls. "She stole the show," Purvis said. "I was blown away, I never get to see her. But I was blown away, I've got to see her some more. That's unbelievable. I was like, 'There's no way, she's about to drop it,' and she'd do it again and I was like, 'This is my lady right here.'" … Freshman Mamadou Diarra, who is redshirting to help improve a chronic knee condition, has been doing more in practices this week. "In about two weeks, he'll be a full 'go,'" coach Kevin Ollie said. … Going into the Memphis game, the Huskies had won all five games in which Jalen Adams recorded 10 or more assists. ... Three from New England to watch as UConn targets Class of 2018 recruits: A.J. Reeves, 6-foot-4 shooting guard at Brimmer and May in Chestnut Hill, Mass.; David Duke, 6-3 shooting guard at Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, Mass.; and Cole Swider, 6-7 small forward at St. Andrews in Barrington, R.I. All are shooters. Duke could have the option of reclassifying to 2017. … Former Husky Tyler Olander, who is trying to make it as a pitcher in the Blue Jays organization, arrived in Dunedin, Fla., this week for training camp. … Ollie spoke to a group of season ticketholders a couple of hours before the game. … The Celtics, Lakers, Knicks and Clippers were among the NBA teams with scouts at the XL Center on Thursday night, most likely keying on Memphis' Dedric Lawson.

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There are eight new faces in the UConn men's basketball locker room. See what a few of them have to say about the team.

There are eight new faces in the UConn men's basketball locker room. See what a few of them have to say about the team.

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There are eight new faces in the UConn men's basketball locker room. See what a few of them have to say about the team.

There are eight new faces in the UConn men's basketball locker room. See what a few of them have to say about the team.

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Graduate student transfer David Onuorah speaks about pursuing a master's degree in sports management at UConn.

Graduate student transfer David Onuorah speaks about pursuing a master's degree in sports management at UConn.

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Junior college transfer Kwintin Williams speaks about his leaping ability. He is one of eight new players on the roster for Kevin Ollie's Huskies. Williams is a 6-7 forward from Anchorage, Alaska.

Junior college transfer Kwintin Williams speaks about his leaping ability. He is one of eight new players on the roster for Kevin Ollie's Huskies. Williams is a 6-7 forward from Anchorage, Alaska.

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Antwoine Anderson, a 6-2 guard, is from Rochester, N.Y., and a graduate transfer who played last season at Fordham.

Antwoine Anderson, a 6-2 guard, is from Rochester, N.Y., and a graduate transfer who played last season at Fordham.

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Eric Cobb, a 6-foot-9 junior forward from Jacksonville, Fla., is a junior college transfer who last played at a Florida junior college.

Eric Cobb, a 6-foot-9 junior forward from Jacksonville, Fla., is a junior college transfer who last played at a Florida junior college.